These dogs are popping up all over Long Island, where we have a lot of geese that stop in between their winter home in the South and their summer home in Canada.
When the wind blows, the dog moves, and it scares the geese.
This made me think that often what we fear is just a silhouette of something flapping away as if it were real. It will scare some off, for sure. But the smart geese will give it a closer examination and will realize there is nothing to fear.
So what are your silhouette dogs,
and what do you do when you encounter one?
Let’s name some of those dogs.
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Danger
This dog looks ominous, all right. It’s the right size, the right shape – yes, it certainly appears to be dangerous. Stay away from this dog. It will hurt you.
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Risk
This dog is something to be avoided at all times. It will cost you.
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Intimidation
Let’s face it, if you were a goose, a big black dog would certainly be intimidating. And when it flaps in the breeze, it is REALLY intimidating. It will overcome you.
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Roadblock
You look at this dog and think there’s no way around it. If you move in any direction, it will be right there, ready to pounce. You can’t win with this dog. It will stop you in your tracks.
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Uncertainty
You had a plan and were headed in the right direction, and there it is, the dog named Uncertainty. It will make you turn back.
What you do when you encounter one of these dogs will determine whether you succeed or fail.
First, you must ask yourself if the dog is real or perceived. If it is real, then by all means, act quickly to get to a place of safety. But if you’ve looked it in the eye and realized it is only a silhouette, face your fear and deal with it.
How do you get past the silhouette dog?
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D’s - Fight it
Stare it down, execute a plan to get past it, and move on. Delegate a dog catcher, run over it with your Hummer, but fight through it.
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I’s - Friend it
Understand it. Realize it is not your enemy after all. You can live with it, and it will not hurt you.
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S’s - Nurture it
Pull together a team to enhance the silhouette dogs, making them appear friendlier and less intimidating. There are too many to do it all by yourself, so call in help. And then go to other neighborhoods and help them.
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C’s – Analyze it
C’s will analyze the wind velocity and how many rotations it makes on the stick. Study it carefully, like the old adage to “know your enemy”. Figure out the best way around it, determine its weak points, make a detailed plan, and strategically move past it.
What’s dogging you? Realize that the dogs that scare away the masses also serve to strengthen those who dare to look them in the eye and overcome them.
Yes, beware of the silhouette dog.
But do not fear it.
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